Ocean Sea Freight Container Types and Cargo Specifications

Question 1

What are the standard external lengths of ISO shipping containers?

Accepted Answer

20 feet and 40 feet

Answer

The two most common ISO standard container lengths are 20 feet (TEU) and 40 feet (FEU), with 45-foot containers also used in some trades.

Question 2

What is a 'High Cube' (HC) container and when is it used?

Accepted Answer

A container 1 foot taller than standard (9'6" vs 8'6") used for voluminous, lightweight cargo

Answer

A High Cube container is 9 feet 6 inches tall (vs. standard 8 feet 6 inches), providing approximately 13% more cubic volume — ideal for lightweight, voluminous cargo like furniture or garments.

Question 3

What type of container is used for transporting temperature-sensitive cargo like pharmaceuticals or fresh produce?

Accepted Answer

Reefer (Refrigerated) Container

Answer

A Reefer container has an integrated refrigeration unit that maintains a set temperature range (typically -25°C to +25°C), making it suitable for perishables, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.

Question 4

What is an 'Open Top' container primarily used for?

Accepted Answer

Cargo too tall to fit through standard container doors, loaded from above by crane

Answer

Open Top containers have a removable roof (tarpaulin or bows) allowing cargo such as machinery, coils, or timber that is too tall for standard containers to be loaded by crane from above.

Question 5

What is a 'Flat Rack' container?

Accepted Answer

A container with collapsible end walls but no sides or roof, used for oversized or heavy cargo

Answer

A Flat Rack container has a flat base with collapsible or fixed end walls but no side walls or roof, making it ideal for out-of-gauge cargo like heavy machinery, pipes, or project cargo.

Ocean Sea Freight Practice Test

Ocean Sea Freight Practice Test

Ocean Sea Freight Container Types and Cargo Specifications